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THE ACOUSTICS OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Motorcycle helmets both act as a source of aerodynamic noise and attenuate external sounds. These facts have been the basis of some arguments concerning accident avoidance while wearing a helmet. In the present study measurements of at-ear helmet-generated aerodynamic noise and helmet insertion loss were carried out. From these data and existing information on at-ear noise levels generated by air flow about a bare head, a comparison of the ability of bare-headed and helmet wearing motorcyclists to detect external acoustic signals was carried out. It was found that under no conditions did a properly fitting helmet put its wearer at a disadvantage to the bare headed rider and at typical speeds the helmet gave a considerable advantage. /Author/

Corporate Authors:

University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Department of Mechanical and Industrial EngineeringSalt Lake City, UT
United States
84112